Hi, looking for ideas of planting for this area (see pic.) hoping to cover with plum slatE chippings and would be grateful for ideas on low maintainance, ever green planting. Sunny aspect most of the day.

Like so many people I have treated myself to an arch which is over a path waiting for adornment. I would love a rose and think I will go for the Gertrude Jekyll. Is this a good idea? I am a bit concerned about the thorns and need it to be controllable and disease resistant.

Looks a bit squashed but you get the gist. There are 3 grasses to come up behind the bird bath and 2 others on the way in the empty patch. What do you think? You can see I'm rather a novice at this but keen to learn!